Allergy to millet: another risk for atopic bird keepers.

Abstract

Millet has been reported to induce not very frequent but severe anaphylactic reactions following ingestion. Seven individuals who all kept cage birds experienced allergic reactions after ingestion of millet-containing food. We investigated the immunoglobulin E (IgE)-reactivity of these individuals to millet employing immunoblotting, RAST and skin prick tests. As the sensitization possibly occurred via the inhalant route we investigated millet-specific IgE levels of 16 additional sera from bird keepers with proven atopy, in retrospect. All patients who had experienced reactions after ingestion of millet displayed millet-specific IgE. Sixty-three percent of the atopic bird keepers possessed millet-specific IgE. By means of immunoblotting three major allergens in millet extract were detected. Our results indicate that millet plays an important role as inhalant allergen for atopic bird keepers. A sensitization to millet may subsequently also elicit food allergy.